16-oxy-cortisone, 16-oxy-hydrocortisone and process



16-0XY-CORTISONE, 16'-0XY-HYDROCORTISONE AND PROCESS Seymour Bernstein and William S. Allen, Pearl River, N. Y., assignors to American Cyanamid Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Maine No Drawing. Application July 19, 1054, Serial No. 444,348

13 Claims. (Cl. 260-397.45)

This invention relates to new pregnenes. More particularly, it relates to A -pregnenes and methods of preparing the same.

The discovery of the highly desirable activity of cortisone in the treatment of rheumatic diseases and other pathological. conditions is now well known. While cortisone and related compounds, such as hydrocortisone, are highly active, they produce certain side reactions which are distinctly undesirable and which limit a wider use of such compounds, except under careful observation. it is also well known that compounds, such as cortisone, when administered to adrenalectomized or adrenalectomized-gonadectomized animals causes distinct involution in the thymus. This affect has been adapted for a bioassay in determining the activity of adrenocortical hormones. Compounds of the present invention such as 16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone in this assay exhibit activities similar to cortisone and hydrocortisone. Karnofsky et a1. (Endocrinology 48, page 596 (1951) has shown that cortisone and hydrocortisone will inhibit the development of chick embryos in a charateristic manner. Compounds of the present invention such as l6a-hydroxyhydrocortisone (A pregnene-llfi,16a,17a,2l-tetrol-3,20-dione) when injected into chick embryos produces inhibition several times greater than cortisone or hydrocortisone.

The compounds of the present invention can be illustrated by the following general formula:

in which X is a divalent radical of the group consisting of -CH2-;

CHOH and i l R is a hydroxyl or acyloxy radical and R is hydrogen or an acyl radical.

These compounds are soluble in organic solvents. such as, for example, acetone or methanol and are relatively insoluble in petroleum ether. They have comparatively high melting points (usually above 200 C.).

The compounds of the present invention are prepared by reacting a A -pregnadiene with osmium tetroxide in the presence of an organic solvent and an alkaline catalyst. The osmium tetroxide reaction involves the addition of hydroxyl groups in the tat-configuration to. the doublebond in the 16,17-positions. I

The intermediates used in the process of the present invention can be prepared by methods described in the nited States Patent chemical literature and the examples hereinafter. They can be, for example, compounds such as n' -pregnadiene- 21ol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate; A -pregnadiene-11[3,21-di0l- 3,20-dione 2l-acetate; A -pregnadiene-21-ol-3,11,20- trione, and the like.

The present compounds can also be prepared by re acting a A -pregnadiene in which the keto groups in the 3- and 20-positions are protected with cyclic ketal radicals, with osmium tetroxide in the presence of an organic solvent. The products obtained are the corresponding pregnene-16,17-diols cyclic ketals which on hydrolysis. for removal of the cyclic ketal groups produce the compounds of the present invention.

In carrying out, the present process the A -pregnadiene is dissolved in a solvent such as benzene, xylene, toluene and the like. To this mixture is added an alkaline catalyst such as an organic base containing nitrogen, for example, pyridine, collidine, trimethylamine, etc., and the osmium tetroxide. The reaction mixture is allowed to stand from about 2 to 48 hours at a temperature of from 15' C. to 40 C. and the osmate ester then decomposed by the addition of water and an organic solvent under alkaline conditions. The. desired product is extracted with a solvent such as chloroform, and after drying, it is evaporated to dryness and recrystallized to further purify.

The following examples describe in detail the preparation of A pregnenes. of the present invention and are intended to be by way of illustration and not limitation.

Example 1 Cortisone 21-acetate bisethylene ketal (0.3 g.) was dis.- solved in 10 ml. of anhydrous pyridine, chilled to 5 and 2 ml. of thionyl chloride added. The mixture was allowed tostand at 5. C.v for 1.6; hours and then poured into ice water. The oily mixture was extracted with 5.00 ml. of ether and the extract was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and finally 3, times with saturated saline solution. The extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. Crystallization of the oily residue from methanol yielded mg. (45%) of A -pregnadiene-21-ol-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate 3,20-bisethylene ketal, melting point 113-114 C. Recrystallization from acetone-methanol raised the melting point to 114-115 C., [M -13; (chloroform).

Ultraviolet: A212 none; infrared: A22? 174.4 cm.- 1715. omf 1680 CIA-1, 1638 cmr 1246 GEL-1, 1090 cm.

A -pregnadiene-21-ol-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate 3,20- bisethylene ketal (600 mg.) was refluxed for 20 hours with 800 mg. of sodium borohydride in 50 ml. of tetrahydrofuran containing 7 ml. of two and one-half percent sodium hydroxide solution. After the addition of water the tetrahydrofuran was evaporated under reduced pressure, and the residual aqueous solution was extracted with 500. ml. of chloroform. The extract was washed twice with sat urated saline solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The gummy residue was crystallized from acetone-petroleum ether yielding 445 mg. (81%) of A -pregnadiene- 115,21 diol 3,20 dione 3,20-bisethylene ketal, melting point. 187.5 -189 C. Recrystallization from acetonepetroleum ether raised the melting point to 189-190 C [x1 -33 (chloroform).

ethylene ketal (250 mg.) was refluxed for one hour on a steam-bath with 4 ml. of 8% (v./V.) sulfuric acid in 40 ml. of methanol. After the addition of water, the

methanol was evaporated off under reduced pressure and the aqueous solution was extracted with 500 ml. of chloroform. The extract was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, twice with saturated saline solution, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The extract was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, and the oily residue crystallized from acetone-ether to yield 100 mg. (50% melting point 154-156 C. Recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether raised the melting point to 15 8-160 C. The compound, A -pregnadiene- 11fi,21-diol-3,20-dione, gave a positive a-ketol test and a positive Porter-Silber test, M1 +200 (chloroform);

ultraviolet: X212 241242 mfl(e22,600)

The A -pregnadiene-l lB,21-dil-3,20-dior1e (150 mg.) was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature with 5 ml. of pyridine and 2.5 ml. of acetic anhydride. The solvents were then evaporated off under reduced pressure, and the residue was crystallized with ether; the yield was 100 mg. (60%), melting point 144-146 C. Recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether-ether raised the melting point of the A -pregnadiene-I15,21-diol- 3,20-dione 21-acetate to 148-149 C., [0:1 +19l chloroform) ultraviolet: A23 240.5 mp(24,400)

The A -preguadiene-1113,21-diol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate (0.70 g.) was dissolved in 25 ml. of benzene containing 0.7 ml. of pyridine, and 0.5 g. of osmium tetroxide added. The mixture was allowed to stand one day at room temperature, then the osmate ester was decomposed with 34 ml. of water, 20 ml. of benzene, 20 ml. of methanol, 3.6 g. of sodium sulfite and 3.6 g. of potassium bicarbonate. After stirring the mixture for eight hours, 100 ml. of chloroform was added, and the brown precipitate was filtered off and washed with 3 liters of hot chloroform. The combined chloroform extracts were washed twice with saturated saline solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The extract was then evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, and the residue crystallized from acetone-petroleum ether. The yield of A -pregnene11B,16a,17a,2l-tetrol-3,20-dione was 304 mg. (44%), melting point 2Z8-230 C. Recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether raised the melting point to 235238 C., [a] +119 (methanol);

ultraviolet: A23 241-242 mu(e15,000)

RE; 3460 emf, 1734 emf, 1674 emf,

1633 emf, 1050 emf Example 2 form);

ultraviolet: 122,2 240.5 mp(e24,400); infrared:

The A -pregnadiene-1lB,21-diol-3,20-dione 21-acetate (0.6 g.) was dissolved in 20 ml. of benzene containing 0.7 ml. of pyridine, and 0.5 g. of osmium tetroxide added. After standing at room-temperature for 3 days the osmate ester was discharged by the addition of 34 ml. of water, 20 ml. of benzene, 20 ml. of methanol, 3.6 g. of sodium sulfite and 3.6 g. of potassium bicarbonate. The mixture was stirred for 5 hours, 100 ml. of chloroform was added, and then stirred for one additional hour. The precipitate was filtered off, and washed with one and one-half liters of hot chloroform. The combined chloroform infrared:

extracts were washed twice with saturated saline solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The extract was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, and the residue was crystallized with acetone-petroleum ether. The yield of A -pregnene-1lfi,16a,17u,21-tetrol- 3,20-dione 21-acetate was 194 mg. (30%), melting point 211-2l4 C. Recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether did not alter the melting point; tal +124 (chloroform) ultraviolet: A212 241 mp(e15,400); infrared: A51; 3510 emf, 1756 emf (shoulder), 1734 emf 1672 emf, 1628 emf (shoulder), 1220 em 1064 cm" Example 3 The mother liquors from the crystallization of A -pregnene-l1p,16a,17a,21-tetrol-3,20 dione 21 acetate were evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, and treated with a mixture of 5 ml. of pyridine and 2.5 ml. of acetic anhydride. The mixture was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature, then poured into cold water and extracted with 500 ml. of chloroform. The organic extract was washed twice with saturated saline solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. Crystallization from acetone-petroleum ether-ether gave 18 mg. of A -pregnene-1l5,16a,17u,2l-tetrol-3,20-dione 16,21-diacetate, melting point 219221 0., fal +75 (chloroform);

ultraviolet: A253 240.5 m (e15,000); infrared: REE; 3546 emf, 1748 emf, 1732 emf (shoulder) 1672 emf, 1626 emf, 1234 emf, 1055 emf Example 4 A mixture of 840 mg. of A -pregnadieue-115,21-dio1- 3,20-dione 3,20-bisethylene ketal, 0.5 g. osmium tetroxide, 0.7 ml. of pyridine and 130 ml. of benzene was allowed to stand for 5 days at room temperature. The osmate ester was then discharged with a mixture of 30 m1. of water, 20 ml. of methanol, 3.10 g. of sodium sulfite and 3.10 g. of potassium bicarbonate. After stirring for 6 hours, the solution was decanted off and stirred overnight with an additional 3.10 g. of sodium sulfite and 3.10 g. of potassium bicarbonate. Two hundred ml. of chloroform was added, and the precipitate was filtered off and washed with 200 ml. of hot chloroform. The chloroform extract was washed 4 times with saturated saline solution, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. Crystallization from acetone-petroleum ether yielded 554 mg. (61%) of A -pregnene-1lfl,16a,- 17a,21-tetrol-3,20-dione 3,20-bisethylene ketal, melting point 239-241 C. Recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether changed the melting to 238.5 239.5 C., [M 24 (methanol);

ultraviolet: A212 none; infrared:

3512 emf, 3290 emf, 1100 emf, 1044 emf max ' Crystals separated upon cooling, and then were filtered,

washed with water and dried. The yield of Ai -pregnene- 115,1601,17a,21-tetrol-3,20-dione was 200 mg. (55%), melting point 235239 C. Recrystallization from acetone raised the melting point to 236238 C., M1

+l21 (methanol).

ultraviolet: Affiffi none; infrared: m 3520 emf 3354 emf, 1710 emf, 1680 emf, 1630 emf, 1100 emf The A -pregnadiene-21-ol-3,11,20-trione 3,20-bisethylene ketal (1.7 g.) was refluxed for 40 minutes on a steam-bath with ml. of 81% (v./v.) sulfuric acid in 100 ml. of methanol. The addition of water yielded 1.21 g. (87%) of M -pregnadiene-Z1-ol-3,l1,20-trione, melting point 231 234 C. Recrystallization from acetone-ether lowered the melting :point to 223-238 C., [M +236 (chloroform);

ANuiul ultraviolet: M35? 238 m '(e23,9.00); infrared: 3410 emf, 17-l4 emf, 1678-cmf, 1630 cmf" 1592 emf, 1082 emf The A -pregnadiene-Zl-ol,3,11,20-trione (0.91 g.) was dissolved in 400 'ml. of benzene containing 1.4 ml. of pyridine, and 1.0 g. of osmium tetroxide was added. The mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 5 days. The osmate ester was then discharged with a mixture of 68 ml. of water, ml. of methanol, 7.2 g. of sodium sulfite and 7.2 g. of potassium bicarbonate. After stirring for 6 hours, 200 ml. of chloroform was added, and the precipitate was filtered off and washed with two liters of hot chloroform. The combined filtrates were washed 3 times with saturated saline solution, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. Crystallization from acetone gave 0.50 g. (50%) of A -pregnenee'lom-l7a,2 l-triol- 3,11,20-trione, melting point 233 -234 C. Recrystallization from methanol-acetone :raised the melting point to 238240 C., [04], +153 (methanol);

ultraviolet: x3332 237-238 m ('e16,500) infrared: A533, 3380 emf, 1736 emf, 1720 emf 1657 emf, 1620 emf, 1108 emf, 1074 emf, 1062 emf A mixture of 100 mg. of A -pregnene-l6a,17a,21-triol- 3,11,20-trione, 5 ml. of pyridine and 2 ml. of acetic anhydride was allowed to stand at room temperature for 16 hours after which it was poured into ice water. The solution was extracted with 250 ml. of chloroform, and the extract was washed 3 times with saturated saline solution, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure. The resultant crystalline material solvated badly with polar solvents, and crystallization was accomplished by forcing the crystals out of racetone with petroleum ether. The yield of A -pregnene- 16a,17a,21triol-3,11,20-trione 16,2l-diacetate was 70 mg. (57%), melting point 224227 C. Further recrystallization did not change the melting point; [otl +129 (chloroform);

ultraviolet: REES 237-238 m (el6,'400) infrared: A55; 3450 emf, 1752 emf, 1730 'Omf 1714 emf, 1670 emf, 1630 emf, 1245 emf, 1076 emf Example 6 Reichsteins Substance S 21-acetate bisethylene ketal (0.5 g.) was dissolved in 10 ml. of anhydrous pyridine, chilled to 5 C. and 2 ml. of purified thionyl chloride added. The mixture was allowed to stand at 5 for 16 hours, then at room temperature for one hour. Finally it was rechilled to -5 C. and poured into ice water. The oily mixture was extracted with 250 ml. of ether, the organic layer was washed three times with saturated saline solution and was dried over anhydrous sodium :sulfate. The extract was evaporated to dryness under reduced, pressure. Crystallization oft'he oily residue from methanol yielded 0.16 g. (33%) of A -pregnadiene-Z1-.ol-3,20-dione 21-acetate 3,20 biset'hylene ketal, melting point 126129.'5 C. Recrystallization from acetone-methanol raised the melting point to 131- 132 C., [@1 34 (chloroform);

ultraviolet: x532 nonejinfrared: XEE? 17.38 emf 1630 emf, 1226 .cmf, 1088 emf The A -pregnadiene-21-ol-3,20-dione 21-acetate 3,20- bisethylene 'ketal (60 mg.) was refluxed for one-half hour :on a steam-bath with "10 ml. of .two and ones-half percent alcoholic potassiumhydroxide. The addition of water yielded 50 mg. (92%) of A -pregnadiene-2l-ol- 3,20-dione 3,20-bisethylene ketal, melting 'point 192- 210 C. Recrystallization "from acetone-petroleum other gave white crystals, melting point 19'1'-'194 'C., lul -4'6 (chloroform);

ultraviolet: X522 none; infrared: X231" 3570 emf, I63Ocmf 1095 emf The A -pregna'diene-21 ol-3,20dione 3,20 bisethylene .ketal (450 mg.) 'was refluxed for one hour on a steamb'ath with '6 ml. of 8% (v./v.) sulfuric acid in 100 ml. of methanol. 'Water'was added and the methanol-evaporated off under reduced pressure. The mixture was extracted with .500 ml. chloroform, the organic layer washed with 2% sodium bicarbonated solution followed by saturated saline solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The extract was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, and the residue crystallized from acetone-petroleum ether. The yield was 260 mg. (74%) of L\""'-pregnadiene-21 ol-3,20 dione, melting point 227- 232 'C. Recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether raisedthe melting point to 229'-2-32 -C. This compound gave a positive u-ketol test and a positive Porter-Silber test, M 5 +148 C. (chloroform);

ultraviolet: A223 240-24l m,u(e23,600); infrared: ALT;

3472 emf, 1672 emf, 166601117 1622 emf, 1592 emf, 1090 emf The .A -pregnadiene-21-o1-3.,20-dione (1.6 g.) was allowed to stand overnight at room-temperature with 40 ml. of pyridine and 15 ml. of acetic anhydride. The sol- Vents were then evaporated off under reduced pressure, and the residue crystallized with ether. The yield of A regnadiene-Zl-ol-3,20-dione 21-acetate was 172g. melting point 125 127 C. Recrystallization raised the melting point to 153 -154 .C., M1 +142 chloroform) ultraviolet: x532 238-241 mu'(624,20[]) The A -pregnadiene-21-ol-3,20-dione 21-acetate (0.6 g.) was dissolved in .20 ml. of benzene containing 06ml. of pyridine and 0.45 ,g. osmium tetroxide added. After standing at room-temperature for 5 days the osmate ester was discharged with '34 ml. ofwater, 20 ml. of benzene, 20 mhof methanol, 3.6 g. of sodium sulfite and 3.6 g. of potassium bicarbonate. The mixture was stirred for 5 hours and then ml. of chloroform added. The brown precipitate was filtered off and washed with 200 ml. of hot chloroform. The combined filtrates were washed 3 times with saturated saline solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The extract was then evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and the solid residue crystallized from acetonepetroleum ether. The yield of A pregnene-16a,17a,21-triol-3,201dione 21-acetate was 472 g. (72%,), melting point 20621 0 -:C.,, M1 (chloroform) ultraviolet: A222 240.5 m#(l7,500)

The A- pregnene-l6 x,170:,21-triol-3,20-dione ZI-acetate (100 mg.) was dissolved in 20 ml. of anhydrous methanol and agitated for 10 minutes at room-temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere with a solution of 7 mg. of metallic sodium in 10 ml. of methanol. The solution was then neutralized with 0.1 ml. of glacial acetic acid and most of the methanol evaporated ofiF under reduced pressure. Hot water was then added and the solution cooled. The crystals were filtered off, and washed with water. The yield of A -pregnene-16a,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione was 54 mg. (60%), melting point 225 227 C. Recrystallization from methanol-ether raised the melting point to 238- 240 C., [al +93 (methanol);

ultraviolet: A23 240 mp.(e17,100) infrared: NEE; 3450 cmf, 1722 emf, 1680 emf, 1622 emf 1080 emf Example 7 The mother liquors from the crystallization of A pregnene 16m,17ot,21 triol-3,20-dione 21-acetate were evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, and 6 ml. of pyridine and 3 ml. of acetic anhydride were added. The mixture was allowed to stand overnight at roomtemperature, and then poured into cold water. The crystalline product was filtered off, and washed with water. The yield was 41 mg. of A -pregnene-16a,17a,21- triol-3,20-dione 16,21-diacetate, melting point 202-204 C. Recrystallization from acetone-petroleum ether raised the melting point to 205 -206 C., [all +51 (chloroform);

ultraviolet: A33 240 II1[.L(16,800); infrared: A51; 3512 cmf. 1750 emf, 1732 emf (shoulder), 1678 emf 1622 emf 1236 emf, 1062 emf Example 8 The A -pregnadiene-21-ol-3,20-dione Zl-acetate 3,20- bisethylene ketal (1.75 g.) was dissolved in 50 ml. of benzene containing 1.2 ml. of pyridine, and 1.0 g. of osmium tetroxide added. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at roonrtemperature for 7 days. The osmate ester was discharged with 68 m1. of water, 35 ml. of methanol, 40 ml. of benzene, 7.2 g. of sodium sulfite and 7.2 g. of potassium bicarbonate and allowed to stir for 8 hours. Two hundred ml. of chloroform was then added, and the precipitate was filtered ofi and washed with one and one-half liters of hot chloroform. The chloroform extract was then washed 3 times with saturated saline solution, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was slurried with warm ether and filtered, yielding 1.23 g. (65%) of A -pregnene-16u,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 2.1- acetate 3,20-bisethylene ketal, melting point 228-229 C. The compound solvated with acetone and methanol, and was consequently purified by slurrying with warm ether, melting point 231233 G, [:1 66 (chloroform);

EtOH

ultraviolet: x none; infrared: REE; 3554 cm." 3500 cmf, 1252 emf, 1108 cmf, 1042 emf ultraviolet: x351 none; infrared: REE; 3500 emf 3360 emf, 1100 emf, 1052 emf The A -pregnene-16e,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione 3,20-bisethylene ketal (260 mg.) was dissolved in 25 ml. of

methanol containing 2. ml. of 8% (v./v.) sulfuric acid and was refluxed for 40 minutes. The mixture was .8 cooled, neutralized with sodium bicarbonate, and water was added. The crystalline material was filtered off, washed with water and dried. The yield of M-pregnene- 16a,l7a,2l-triol-3,20-dione was 0.17 g. (81%), melting in which X is a divalent radical of the group consisting of II OHOH, and O radicals R is a member of the group consisting of hydroxyl and lower alkanoyloxy radicals, and R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkanoyl radicals.

2. Compounds in accordance with claim 1 in which X is a CHOH radical, R is a lower alkanoyloxy radical and R is a lower alkanoyl radical.

3. A -Pregnene-l1B,16a,17u,21-tetrol-3,20-dione.

4. A -Pregnene-16a,17a,21-triol-3,11,20-trione.

5. M-Pregnene 11fl,l6u,17ot,2l tetrol 3,20 dione- ZI-acetate.

6. A Pregnene l1fi,16oz,17oz,21 tetrol 3,20 dione- 16,2l-diacetate.

7. A Pregnene 16u,17a,21 triol 3,11,20 trione- 16,21-diacetate.

8. A method of preparing compounds having the general formula:

--orr in which X is a divalent radical of the group consisting of in which X and R are as defined above and osmium tetroxide in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent and a tertiary amine.

9. A method of preparing A -pregnene-11 8,16a,l7a- 21-tetrol-3,20-dione 21-lower alkanoate which comprises mixing together under reactive conditions A4116 pregnadiene-l1p,21-dio1-3,20-dione 21-lower alkanoate with osmium tetroxide in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent and pyridine and recovering said compound therefrom.

10. A method of preparing a A -pregnene-11B,16a,17atriol-3,20-dione 2l-acetate which comprises reacting a A -pregnadiene-l 1;8,2l-dio1-3,20-dione 21-acetate with osmium tetroxide in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent and a tertiary amine.

11. A method of preparing A -pregnene-l6u,17a,21- triol-3,l1,20-trione which comprises mixing together under reactive conditions A -pregnadiene-21-ol-3,11,20- trione with osmium tetroxide in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent and pyridine and recovering said compound therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,265,143 Butenandt Dec. 9, 1941 2,602,804 Kendall July 8, 1952 2,666,770 Wall Jan. 19, 1954 2,683,712 Hogg July 13, 1954 2,684,364 Jones July 20, 1954 

1. COMPOUNDS OF THE GROUP HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA: 